Island to Island - Galapagos Discovery

Depending on the time of your arrival, we can arrange a city tour for you – contact us for ideas.

The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela was formed by the joining of five volcanoes, and is a mix of remote, wild lava flows and barren landscapes, as well as lush, dense vegetation found in its highland regions.

On arrival at Isabela, transfer to Scalesia Lodge, your accommodation in the highlands, located 20 minutes’ drive from Puerto Villamil, the archipelago’s largest inhabited town.

After lunch and check-in at the lodge, head out for your first exploration of the islands. Your afternoon tour will visit the Wetlands, located just outside of Puerto Villamil, where you can follow a walking trail through a network of swamps, lagoons and mangroves that are home to black-necked and common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails and flamingos, amongst other birds. The trail also takes you to the Tortoise Breeding Centre, which carries out important work in restoring Isabela’s tortoise population.

Your tour ends with a visit to the beach at Puerto Villamil, before returning to your lodge in time for dinner.

Sierra Negra Volcano – Hike around the crater rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the largest basaltic caldera in the archipelago. It is a steady 20km hike, with incredible views, the chance to see seven of the Galapagos finches and evidence of the 2005 eruption.

Tintoreras Islets – Just a short distance by boat from Puerto Villamil, the Tintoreras Islets are home to a network of reefs, where white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, turtles and Galapagos penguins can be seen. You’ll have a short walk across the volcanic islet to spot boobies, herons and marine iguanas, before getting in the water to snorkel. After lunch back at the lodge, explore the wetlands and watch the sunset from Puerto Villamil.

Wall of Tears – Between 1945 and 1959 Isabela Island hosted a penal colony, where prisoners were forced to build the Wall of Tears. This 25m high wall is said to have taken the lives of many prisoners during its construction. A short walk takes you past mangroves and lagoons to the wall. Look out for Darwin finches, doves, stilts, ducks, flamingos, herons and giant tortoises along the way. After lunch at the lodge, explore the wetlands and watch the sunset from Puerto Villamil.

From Los Gemelos, you continue to the Tortoise Reserve and the lava tunnels, spectacular geological formations caused by lava flow.

After lunch at a restaurant in the highlands you will reach Puerto Ayora, the main hub of the Galapagos Islands. In the only pedestrianised neighbourhood, Punta Estrada, you will check-in at Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, where the rest of the day is free for you to relax.

North Seymour –Head to North Seymour Island where you will have a one-mile hike to see land and marine iguanas, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions and fur seals. You then visit Las Bachas on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, a stunning white beach with small brackish lagoons, home to various waders, such as plovers, stilts and flamingos, as well as Sally Lightfoot crabs and hermit crabs.

Santa Fe – Visit Santa Fe, one of the oldest volcanoes in the archipelago. It is a small island with a wet landing where you will usually expect to see many sea lions basking on the beach. From the beach, you will follow the trail to see the massive cactus and land iguanas that reside here, also keeping a lookout for boobies, pelicans and the Galapagos hawk. There will also be time to visit a snorkelling site and enjoy lunch onboard the yacht.

Bartolome – Off the east coast of Santiago Island is Bartolome, home to the Galapagos Island’s most iconic site – Pinnacle Rock. Here you will climb the stairs to the top of Bartolome for incredible views of the islands and Pinnacle Rock. Heading back down there will be time to swim with inquisitive Galapagos penguins and sea lions. En route back to Santa Cruz, search for the whales and dolphins that are often seen frolicking in this stretch of water.

South Plaza – En route to South Plaza you will stop at Carrion Point. Here the turquoise waters and sheltered lagoon are perfect for snorkelling to see a variety of tropical fish, rays and white-tip reef sharks. At South Plaza follow the trail on land where you will likely spot sea lions, marine and land iguanas, as well as many nesting sea birds. The island has forests of prickly pear cactus and large areas of Sesuvium, a succulent that is green/yellow in the wet season and bright red in the summer months.

Overnight at the Casona de la Ronda.